Anatomical massage table

ABSTRACT

A massage table has a table top with a padded upper surface and support frame which supports the padded table top in a raised, generally horizontal orientation. The padded upper surface can support a male or female user in a face down, prone position on the surface, and has a first, female anatomical recess and a second, male anatomical recess. The female and male recesses are designed to receive anatomical protuberances on the female and male body, respectively, when lying face down on the table.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention concerns a portable or stationary massage table.

2. Related Art

Massage tables are designed to support an individual lying face down or face up while undergoing massage therapy. Massage often involves manipulation of the spinal areas along the length of the spinal column by masseurs, athletic trainers and chiropractors, while the individual lies in a prone, face down position on the massage table. Massage tables may be stationary with fixed legs of adjustable height, or may have collapsible legs so that they can be carried to different locations for performing massage. Such tables typically have a padded upper horizontal surface, and may have a head rest with an opening for receiving the individual's face when lying face down.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides a portable or stationary massage table which has anatomical recesses or openings which are designed to receive anatomical protuberances of a person's body in a comfortable manner while they are undergoing a back massage.

In one embodiment, a massage table has an upper padded surface and a floor-engaging support frame which supports the upper padded surface in a raised, substantially horizontal orientation. The upper padded surface has a first end, a second end, and opposite sides and is of predetermined width and length to support an individual in a prone position with their feet in the vicinity of the second end of the padded surface. A head support region may be formed integrally at the first end of the upper padded surface or may be a separate head support pad which is secured to the first end of the padded surface, and has an opening for receiving the face of an individual who is lying face down on the table. At least one anatomical recess is provided at a predetermined location on the upper padded surface to receive an anatomical protruberance of a person's body in a comfortable manner while they are undergoing a back massage. In one embodiment, two spaced anatomical recesses are provided at predetermined locations in the upper padded surface, with the first anatomical recess adapted to receive the breasts of a female when lying face down on the table, and the second anatomical recess adapted to receive the genital region of a male when lying face down on the padded surface.

In one embodiment, the recesses comprise openings which extend completely through the padded upper surface, depending on the thickness of the padded surface, or they may extend only partially through the padded surface if it is of sufficient thickness. Where the openings extend through the surface, detachable privacy shields cover the lower end of each opening. Additional recesses may be provided in other embodiments for added comfort. Removable first and second insert pads are provided for fitting into the respective first and second anatomical recesses, with the second insert pad engaged in the second anatomical recess when a female is undergoing a massage, and the first insert pad engaged in the first anatomical recess when a male is undergoing a massage. Both insert pads are engaged in the respective openings when a person is lying face up during massage of front regions of the body.

The massage table is more comfortable for a person having a back massage since protruding parts of the front of their body are not unduly pressured or squashed while the masseur presses down on their back. The support frame may be stationary or collapsible to provide a stationary or portable massage table.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art after reviewing the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The details of the present invention, both as to its structure and operation, may be gleaned in part by study of the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a massage table having anatomical recesses in the upper padded surface;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the massage table, with the collapsible support stand omitted;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the massage table;

FIG. 4 is a left-side elevational view of the table, showing fabric or canvas detachable privacy shields;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the table of FIGS. 1 to 4, with removable insert pads placed in the anatomical recesses;

FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the table of FIGS. 1 to 5;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view on the lines 7 to 7 of FIG. 5, with one of the removable insert pads removed from the table to reveal the anatomical recess or opening in the table; and

FIG. 7A is a front elevational view of the insert pad which is removed from the table in FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Certain embodiments as disclosed herein provide for a portable or stationary massage table with a padded surface having anatomical openings or recesses to receive female or male body protuberances when lying in a prone, face down position on the padded surface during a massage.

After reading this description, it will become apparent to one skilled in the art how to implement the invention in various alternative embodiments and alternative applications. However, although various embodiments of the present invention will be described herein, it is understood that these embodiments are presented by way of example only and not limitation. As such, this detailed description of various alternative embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope or breadth of the present invention as set forth in the appended claims.

FIGS. 1 to 7 illustrate one embodiment of a massage table 10. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the massage table comprises a rectangular table top having a padded upper surface 12 and a support frame 14, which is illustrated in dotted outline in FIG. 1 and omitted in FIGS. 2 to 7 to reveal details of the padded table top or upper surface 12. The table top may have a rigid base, such as a base support plate 17 as seen in FIGS. 6 and 7 or a base frame, and a rectangular pad 19 of foam or other suitable padding material is supported on the base. A cover material of a suitable fabric may be secured over the pad 19.

In the illustrated embodiment, a separate head supporting pad 15 is adjustably secured to the head or first end of the upper padded surface or table top 12 by a pair of securing posts 16. As best illustrated in FIG. 6, posts 16 are telescopically received in adjustment tubes on the undersurface of pad 15, as illustrated in FIG. 6. The distance of the pad 15 from the table may be adjusted as needed based on dimensions of the person undergoing a massage. Alternatively, a head support region may be formed integrally with the padded surface 12. The support frame 14 may be any suitable massage table supporting structure. In the illustrated embodiment, frame 14 is a non-collapsible frame as illustrated in FIG. 1 which has four legs 18 of adjustable height at the respective corners of the table, along with a connecting frame structure 21 between the legs for added stability. In alternative embodiments, the table may have a different support frame, and may be a portable massage table having a collapsible frame or collapsible or foldable legs.

Head supporting pad 15 may be a conventional, generally U-shaped pad surrounding an opening 20, which is designed to engage the periphery of a user's head when lying prone on padded surface 12. If the user is lying face down, the pad 15 engages the forehead and sides of the user's face, with central face region including the eyes, nose, mouth and chin extending partially through the opening, so that the user is comfortable and able to breathe easily during a massage treatment.

The padded support surface 12 has a first end 22, a second end 24, and opposite right and left sides 25, and has a first, female anatomical recess or opening 26 adjacent the first or head end of the table, and a second, male anatomical recess or opening 28 spaced between the first recess 26 and the second end 24 of the table. The recesses or openings are generally centrally located between the opposite sides of the padded surface. First and second padded filler members or insert pads 30 and 32 are removably engaged in the respective recesses 26 and 28 in FIGS. 1 and 5, and the appropriate insert pad is removed from its recess depending on whether a male or female is to receive a massage.

The recesses 26 and 28 are suitably positioned on the padded surface and are of predetermined shape and dimensions substantially matching the shape and maximum dimensions of an anatomical protuberance which is intended to extend into the respective recess. The first or female anatomical recess or opening 26 is generally elongate in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the table, and has rounded ends. Recess 26 is of predetermined shape and dimensions to receive the breasts of a female when lying face down on the support surface with their head engaging head pad 15, so that they can lie more comfortably on the table. As illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 7A, the first or female insert pad 30 is removed from recess 26 when a female is to receive a massage, revealing the opening or recess 26. The second or male anatomical recess or opening 28 is suitably positioned on the support surface and is of predetermined shape and dimensions to receive the male genital region of a male when lying face down on the support surface with their head engaging the head pad 15, so that they can lie more comfortably on the table while receive a back massage. The male insert pad 32 is removed from recess 28 when a male is to receive a back massage, revealing opening or recess 28.

The female insert pad 30 is of shape and dimensions substantially matching those of opening 26 so that it substantially fills the opening when inserted, with the upper surface 34 substantially flush with the upper surface of the padded table top, as seen in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5. Similarly, the second or male insert pad 32 is of shape and dimensions substantially matching those of opening or recess 28, so that it substantially fills the opening when inserted, with its upper surface 35 substantially flush with the surrounding padded surface, as seen in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5. The insert pads may be of the same material as the padded upper surface of the table top, and may have straps or handles (not illustrated) for easy removal as needed.

As illustrated in FIG. 7 and in dotted outline in FIG. 4, in this embodiment each recess 26, 28 comprises a hole which extends completely through the table top, although these recesses may terminate short of the lower surface of the table top in alternative embodiments, depending on the thickness of pad 19. The lower open end of each recess 26, 28 is suitably covered by a respective fabric or canvas detachable privacy shield 36, 38. As seen in FIGS. 2 to 4 and 7, each privacy shield hangs down below the lower surface of the table and forms a pocket 40 below the recess or opening so as to increase the overall recess depth.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the first or female recess 26 is located a short distance away from the first end of the padded table top, while the second or male recess 28 is located just over halfway between the first and second ends. The table may be of any suitable dimensions to accommodate the normal range of human sizes, and in one embodiment the table was approximately 73 inches long and approximately 30 inches wide, although these dimensions may be larger in other embodiments. The combined depth of the recess or opening 26 and aligned pocket 40, and the length and width of the recess 26, are sufficient to accommodate most or all female breast sizes. In one embodiment, the depth of the recess 26 and pocket was approximately four inches, the width of recess 26 was approximately seven inches, and the length of the recess was approximately sixteen inches. The recess 26 begins at a location approximately four inches from the top end 22 of the table.

The male recess 28 is smaller in dimensions and is elongated in a direction parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the table, with tapered side walls 42 to define a generally triangular shape. In one embodiment, the recess 28 and aligned pocket had a combined depth of approximately four inches, the length of recess 28 was approximately four inches, and the maximum and minimum widths were approximately six inches and three inches, respectively, while the top end of the recess was located approximately 26 inches from the top end 22 of the table.

When a person is to lie face up on the massage table, insert pads 30 and 32 are both left in their respective openings or recesses so that the person's back is supported on a continuous padded surface. When a female is to lie face down on the surface while her back is massaged, insert pad 30 is removed from the first recess or opening 26, while insert pad 32 is left in place. The female can then comfortably lie face down on the padded surface with the breasts extending into opening 26 without being compressed during the massage. When a male is to lie face down on the surface during a back massage, the female insert pad 30 is left in place while the second or male insert pad 32 is removed. The male can then lie comfortably in a face down position on the surface with the genital region engaging in opening 28 to avoid compression during the massage.

Although two anatomical recesses are provided in the illustrated embodiment, only one anatomical recess, such as female recess 26 or male recess 28 only, may be provided on the padded surface in alternative embodiments. In other embodiments, more than two recesses may be provided to accommodate other protruding parts of a user's body, or the illustrated recesses may be extended. For example, suitably shaped recesses for receiving the arms or shoulders may be provided. In other embodiments, a larger opening may be provided for receiving the protruding abdomen of a pregnant woman lying face down on the padded surface, with a suitable padded filler member or insert pad for filling the opening when it is not needed.

The above description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles described herein can be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is to be understood that the description and drawings presented herein represent a presently preferred embodiment of the invention and are, therefore, representative of the subject matter which is broadly contemplated by the present invention. It is further understood that the scope of the present invention fully encompasses other embodiments that may become obvious to those skilled in the art and that the scope of the present invention is accordingly limited by nothing other than the appended claims. 

1. A massage table, comprising: a table top having a padded upper surface, a lower surface, a first end, a second end, and opposite sides; a support frame which supports the padded table top; the padded upper surface being adapted to support a male or female user in a face down, prone position on the surface; the table top having at least a first, female anatomical recess which extends at least partially through the table top from the upper surface, and a second, male anatomical recess which is spaced from the female anatomical recess and extends at least partially through the table top from the upper surface; the female anatomical recess being adapted to receive the breasts of a female lying face down on the upper padded surface; and the male anatomical recess being adapted to receive the genital region of a male lying face down on the upper padded surface.
 2. The table of claim 1, wherein each anatomical recess is an opening which extends completely through the table top and has an open lower end, and first and second cover members extend over the open lower ends of the respective recesses.
 3. The table of claim 2, wherein each cover member extends downwardly from the lower surface of the table to form a pocket beneath the respective opening.
 4. The table of claim 3, wherein the cover members are of fabric material.
 5. The table of claim 1, further comprising first and second insert pads which are adapted for engagement in the respective first and second anatomical recesses when not in use, each insert pad being of predetermined shape and dimensions substantially matching those of the respective anatomical recess, and having an upper surface which is flush with the upper surface of the table top when the insert pad is inserted in the matching recess.
 6. The table of claim 1, wherein the first, female anatomical recess is of an elongate shape with rounded ends, and has a central longitudinal axis which extends transverse to the table top.
 7. The table of claim 1, wherein the second, male anatomical recess is of smaller dimensions than the first anatomical recess and is elongated in a direction parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the table.
 8. The table of claim 1, further comprising a head rest secured to the first end of the table.
 9. The table of claim 1, wherein the first anatomical recess is located at a spacing from the first end of the table and the second anatomical recess is located between the first anatomical recess and the second end of the table.
 10. The table of claim 1, wherein the upper surface has more than two anatomical recesses.
 11. The table of claim 1, wherein the support frame comprises fixed legs.
 12. The table of claim 1, wherein the support frame comprises foldable legs and the table is portable.
 13. A massage table, comprising: a table top having a padded upper surface, a lower surface, a first end, a second end, and opposite sides; a support frame which supports the padded table top; the padded upper surface being adapted to support a user in a face down, prone position on the surface; the table top having at least one opening spaced between the ends and adapted to receive a protruding part of the body of a user lying face down on the padded upper surface. 